Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to JCVI advice on COVID-19 vaccines for the autumn booster programme
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published its advice on which COVID-19 vaccines should be used in … read more
expert reaction to MHRA approving Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine
Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine has today been approved for adult booster doses by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory … read more
expert reaction to the anticipated UK drought
Several journalists have asked the SMC about the prolonged period of dry weather and anticipated drought this summer. Below are … read more
expert reaction to study looking at rate of Arctic warming
A study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, suggests that the Arctic is warming at a faster rate than the rest … read more
dry weather in the UK – the science of droughts
The SMC has had several media enquiries on the current dry weather situation and whether we are in a drought … read more
expert reaction to review paper looking at the response of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet to past and future climate change
A review paper published in Nature looks at the response of the East Antarctic ice sheet to past and future … read more
expert reaction to update from the UKHSA on the poliovirus in sewage situation, and that all children aged 1 to 9 in London will be offered a dose of polio vaccine
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have announced that, following the discovery of vaccine-derived poliovirus in sewage in north and east … read more
expert reaction to UKHSA issuing level 3 heat health alert
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued a heat-health alert as high temperatures are forecast for much of the … read more
expert reaction to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and media reports of shelling
A few journalists have asked us about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, so here is a comment from Dr Mark Wenman … read more
expert reaction to study looking at early time-restricted eating and weight loss in obese adults
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine looks at the effectiveness of time-restricted eating (TRE) for weight loss, fat loss, … read more
expert reaction to latest stats from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey, UK: 5 August 2022
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, … read more
expert reaction to study attempting to generate rat sperm cells inside sterile mice using a technique called blastocyst complementation
A study published in Stem Cell Reports looks at the generation of rat sperm cells inside sterile mice. Prof … read more
expert reaction to news that Sir Patrick Vallance will step down as GCSA at the end of his 5 year post
It has been reported that Sir Patrick Vallance will be stepping down from his role as the government’s Chief Scientific … read more
expert comments on the role of the UK as a science superpower
A few comments from the science community on the role of the UK as a ‘science superpower’ in case useful. … read more
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report: “Science and technology superpower”, more than a slogan?
The government has stated its ambition to make the UK a “science and tech superpower”. But what does that actually … read more
expert reaction to phase 1 trial assessing the safety and pharmacokinetics of a monoclonal antibody and its protective efficacy against controlled human malaria infection in healthy adults
Results from a phase 1 clinical trial looking at the use of low-dose subcutaneous or intravenous monoclonal antibody to prevent … read more
expert reaction to paper suggesting that cellular and tissue function can be restored in pigs after death
A paper published in Nature suggests cellular recovery can occur in pigs after death. Prof Martin Monti, Professor of … read more
expert reaction to study generating a synthetic mouse embryo model from stem cells
A study published in Cell looks at the generation of synthetic mouse embryos ex utero from mouse naïve embryonic stem … read more
expert reaction to study looking at daily Jarlsberg cheese (versus Camembert) and measures of bone thinning
A study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health looks at daily cheese intake with and without vitamin K2 and effect … read more
expert reaction to the latest in the Archie Battersbee case
Archie Battersbee’s life support can be withdrawn today after the UN’s request was rejected by UK’s Court of Appeal. … read more